Radiator assembly with quick attachable louver and door



March 16, 1965 M. P. GLOWACKI 3,173,355

RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WITH QUICK ATTACHABLE LOUVER AND DOOR Filed Sept. 15, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //Vl/E/V fo/a #077776 P @1001004 March 16, 1965 M. P. GLOWACKI 3,173,355

RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WITH QUICK ATTACHABLE LOUVER AND DOOR Filed Sept. 13. 1962 2 SheetsSheet 2 United States Patent 3,173,355 RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WITH QUICK ATTACH- ABLE LOUVER AND DOOR Matthew P. Glowacki, 1516 N. Kirkpatrick Ave., Chicago, Ill. Filed Sept. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 223,365 4 Claims. (Cl. 98-106) This invention concerns a radiator or air diffuser. More particularly, this invention relates to a radiator particularly adapted for baseboard heating and the like, including a quick attachable louver panel and door assembl The conventional radiator or air diffuser comprises a base provided with an opening through which heated air may be directed by suitable ducting and a radiator or air diffuser panel is connected to the base, the said panel also including a door which is hingedly connected to the louvered panel for regulating the diffusion of air from within the chamber provided by the radiator. Generally, the door and louver panel assembly are connected to the base by means of screws and various other fastening devices. This type of construction is generally expensive, is difficult to install, and is diificult to keep clean in that numerous screws must be removed in order to secure access to the interior of the radiator.

It is a prime object, therefore, to provide an improved radiator or air diffuser assembly having a louver panel and door construction which is quickly attachable and quickly detachable from the assembly without the need of fastening devices, such as screws, etc.

-Anoth er object of the invention is to provide an improved radiator and air diffuser construction which is simple in manufacture and is inexpensive, requiring no tools in attaching the louver panel and door to the base construction during assembly and thus also being quickly detachable for ready access to the interior of the assembly.

A still further object is to provide an improved air diffuser or radiator which is eflicient in the diffusion of air and having a minimum of parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and greatly simplified radiator construction wherein the base is permanently installed but wherein the panel and door assembly are easily removable; the said. base including a cradle portion adapted to be engaged by a complementary cradle section on the louver panel so that the parts fit in nesting relation and wherein the panel is resiliently snapped into assembled position with the base.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved hinge assembly for hinging a door to a'louver panel, the said hinge providing a sturdy and efficient simplified hinging construction.

These and other objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the specification when examined in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an improved radiator or air diffuser construction positioned on a floor having a duct extending therethrough for communicating with the interior of the radiator;

- FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the radiator construction shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view through the radiator construction taken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational detail view of the upper portions of a louver panel and door assembly, showing the hinging relationship of the two;

7 FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view through a louver panel and hinging door assembly for an improved radiator or air diffuser;

3,173,355 Patented Mar. 16, 1965 "Ice FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail view of the hinging portion of a door and a louver assembly, the said view being taken substantially along the lines 66 of FIG- URE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view through a base assembly for the radiator shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3.

Referring to the drawings, a radiator or air diffuser is generally designated by the reference character 10. The radiator 10 comprises a stationary base assembly 10 being positioned on a floor 11, the said floor 11, as shown in FIGURE 1, having an opening 12. The base assembly 10' comprises a rear Wall 13, a bottom wall 14, and a short top wall 15. The short top Wall 15 is provided with an arcuate lip 16 which extends the length of said top Wall 15 and forms an inwardly opening cradle 16. The base 10 also comprises triangularly-shaped side walls 17. The bottom wall also is provided with an opening 18, and a rectangular duct 19 extends through the openings 12 and 18 for communication with the interior of the radiator 10, the said interior providing a chamber for receiving and diffusing the heated air.

The rectangular duct19 comprises a rear upward extension 20 which snugly fits into one or more tabs 21 disposed on the rear wall 13. The bottom wall 14 also comprises a front upwardly extending flange 22.

A removable louver assembly 23 comprises a heat diffusion or distribution panel 24 having a plurality of baffles 26 disposedfor proper and desirable diffusion. The heat distribution panel 24 also is provided on opposite ends thereof with downwardly extending flanges 27 which as shown in FIGURE 2 overlap the triangular side walls 17. A central slot 28, as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, is provided in the heat distribution panel 24. The panel 24 also is provided at its lower end with a locking panel portion 29, comprising a short horizontal portion 30 connected to a vertical portion 31 in turn connected to an inwardly extending flange 32. The flange 32, as best shown in FIGURE 3, overlaps a portion of the bottom 14 to help secure the panel 24 in assembly with the base 10'; The upper end of the panel 24 is provided with a horizontally extending arcuate lip 33 which is coextensive with the arcuate lip 16 and which nests as shown in FIGURE 2 in complementary relation with respect to the cradle or lip 16.

A louver door is designated at 34, the said louver door including a stiffening flange 35, the said door 34 being provided at its upper end with an arcuate hinge portion 36 which, as best shown in FIGURE 6, also is substantially coextensive with the arcuate portion 33 and which fits into said arcuate portion 36 in nesting relation. The arcuate hinge portion 36 is connected to the door 34 by means of a short, horizontal portion 37. A lever 38 is suitably connected to the door 34, the said lever or arm including a slot 39. The arm or lever 38 extends through the opening 28, as best shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. As shown in FIGURE 2, the slot may have secured therein a bolt and nut fastener 40 which acts as a stop to limit the hinging position of the door 34 so that the said door may be positioned in a number of desired positions by merely adjusting the fastener 49 in the slot 39. The end of the lever 38 is also provided with an enlarged stop element 41 which has a greater transverse width than the slot 28 so that during the extreme open position the said stop 41 will engage the panel 24 to retain the door 34 in its maximum open position.

As best shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, the hinge portion 36 is provided with a plurality of cutouts 42. The arcuate lip 33 is provided with inwardly extending tabs 43, which overlap vertical edges 44 formed by the cutremovable iouver assembly 23. The installer now merely places the arcuate lip 33 in nesting arrangement with respect to the lip 16, as shown in FIGURE 3, and then snaps the assembly in place with the flange 32 overlapping the bottom wall 14, as shown in FIGURE 3. The side flanges 27 also overlap the side walls 17 and by virtue of the spring-like nature of the locking panel portion 29, the louver assembly is retained in the position indicated. No screws of any sort are necessary, and thus the assembly also may be easily removed. The door may be easily hinged by means of the lever 38 and may be set at any position desired by means of the stop 40. If the stop 40 is not utilized the stop 41 will limit the inward travel of the door 34.

Thus, a simplified and greatly improved air diffuser and radiator construction has been described. The obj ects of the invention have been fully achieved and it must be understood that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as disclosed or from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A radiator comprising,

(a) a base including (b) a rear wall, triangular shaped side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall projecting outwardly from said rear wall, said top wall extending a shorter dis- I tan'ce than said bottom wall,

() an arcuate lip in cross section on said top wall, said arcuate lip forming a semi-cylindrical cradle opening inwardly toward said rear wall,

(d) an upwardly extending flange on said bottom wall,

said bottom wall including an opening,

(e) a removable louver assembly comprising (f) a louver panel having a plurality of openings,

('g) an arcuate upper portion in cross section on said panel engaging said cradle in complementary relation,

(/1) a lower angle shaped locking portion on said panel including an inwardly extending flange engaging and overlapping a portion of said bottom wall for rcmovably securing said louver assembly to said base to provide a chamber therein,

(i) a louver closing door, including within said chamber (j) an upper hinge member of arcuate cross section disposed in said arcuate upper portion in relative nesting arrangement, said hinge member having a plurality of laterally spaced cut-outs providing laterally spaced edges,

(k) tabs on said arcuate upper portion overlapping said spaced edges to retain said hinge member in nesting arrangement and permitting relative hinging movement of said door relative to said panel,

(I) an actuating lever connected to said door, said panel having an opening through which said lever extends,

(m) adjustable stop means on said lever outside of said chamber whereby said door may be retained in a plurality of hinged positions, and

(n) flanged elements on said panel overlapping the side walls outside of said chamber.

2. A radiator comprising,

(a) a base including (b) a rear wall, triangular shaped side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall projecting outwardly from said 4 rear wall, said top wall extending a shorter distance than said bottom wall,

(0) an arcuate lip in cross section on said top wall, said arcuate lip forming a semi-cylindrical cradle opening inwardly toward said rear wall.

(d) an upwardly extending flange on said bottom wall, said base including an opening,

(e) a removable louver'assembly comprising (f) a louver panel having a plurality of openings,

(g) an arcuate upper portion in cross section on said panel engaging said cradle in complementary relation.

(11) a lower angle shaped locking portion on said panel including an inwardly extending flange engaging and overlapping a portion of said bottom wall for removably securing said louver assembly to said base to provide a chamber therein,

(i) a louver closing door, including within said chamher (i) an upper hinge member of arcuate cross section disposed in said arcuate upper portion in relative nesting arrangement, said hinge member having a plurality of laterally spaced cut-outs providing laterally spaced edges,

(k) tabs on said arcuate upper portion overlapping said spaced edges to retain said hinge member in nesting arrangement and permitting relative hinging movement of said door relative to said panel,

(I) an actuating lever connected to said door, said panel having an opening through which said lever extends, and

(m) flange elements on said panel overlapping the side walls outside of said chamber.

3. A radiator comprising,

(a) a base including ([2) a rear wall, triangular shaped side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall projecting outwardly from said rear wall, one of said walls including a heat inlet opening,

(c) an arcuate lip in cross section on said top wall, said arcuate lip forming a semi-cylindrical cradle opening inwardly toward said rear wall,

(d) 'a removable louver assembly comprising (6) a louver panel having a plurality of openings,

(f) an arcuate upper portion in cross section on said panel engaging said cradle in complementary relation,

(g) a lower angle shaped locking portion on said panel engaging and overlapping a portion of said bottom wall for removably securing said louver assembly to said base to provide a chamber therein,

(11) a louver closing door, including within said chamber (1') an upper hinge member of arcuate cross section disposed in said arcuate upper portion in relative nesting arrangementrs'aid hinge member having a plurality of laterally spaced cut-outs providing laterally spaced edges,

(j) tabs on said arcuate upper portion overlapping said spaced edges to retain said hinge member in nesting arrangement and permitting relative hinging movement of said door relative to said panel,

(k) an actuating lever connected to said door, said panel having an opening through which said lever extends, and

(l) flange elements on said panel overlapping the side walls.

4. A radiator comprising,

(a) a base including (b) a rear wall, side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall projecting outwardly from said rear wall, one of said'walls including a heat inlet opening,

(0) an arcuate lip in cross section on said top wall, said arcuate lip forming a semi-cylindrical cradle opening inwardly toward said rear wall,

(d) a removable louver assembly comprising (e) a louver panel having a plurality of openings,

(f) an arcuate upper portion in cross section on said panel engaging said cradle in complementary relation,

(g) a lower angle shaped locking portion on said panel engaging and overlapping a portion of said bottom Wall for removably securing said louver assembly to said base to provide a chamber therein,

(h) a louver closing door, including Within said chamber (1') an upper hinge member of arcuate cross section disposed in said arcuate upper portion in relative nesting arrangement, said hinge member having laterally spaced edges,

(j) means to retain said hinge member in nesting arrangement and permitting relative hinging movement eluding tab portions on said arcuate upper portion overlapping said spaced edges,

(k) an actuating lever connected to said door, said panel having an opening through which said lever extends, and

(l) flange elements on said panel overlapping the side walls,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,796,016 6/57 De R00 9840 2,834,281 5/58 Griner 98106 X 3,103,970 9/63 Weiner 165-55 X of said door relative to said panel, said means in- 15 ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A RADIATOR COMPRISING, (A) A BASE INCLUDING (B) A REAR WALL, TRIANGULAR SHAPED SIDE WALLS, A BOTTOM WALL AND A TOP WALL PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID REAR WALL, SAID TOP WALL EXTENDING A SHORTER DISTANCE THAN SAID BOTTOM WALL, (C) AN ARCUATE LIP IN CROSS SECTION ON SAID TOP WALL, SAID ARCUATE LIP FORMING A SEMI-CYLINDRICAL CRADLE OPENING INWARDLY TOWARD SAID REAR WALL, (D) AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ON SAID BOTTOM WALL, SAID BOTTOM WALL INCLUDING AN OPENING, (E) A REMOVABLE LOUVER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING (F) A LOUVER PANEL HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS, (G) AN ARCUATE UPPER PORTION IN CROSS SECTION ON SAID PANEL ENGAGING SAID CRADLE IN COMPLEMENTARY RELATION, (H) A LOWER ANGLE SHAPED LOCKING PORTION ON SAID PANEL INCLUDING AN INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ENGAGEING AND OVERLAPPING A PORTION OF SAID BOTTOM WALL FOR REMOVABLY SECURING SAID LOUVER ASSEMBLY TO SAID BASE TO PROVIDE A CHAMBER THEREIN, 